A terrific column by Rex on the worth of mainline journalists, those that put their own lives on the line to capture the truth of what's happening in the world. In more than 50 years in journalism, I've never covered anything outside the U.S., but one of the reporters I edited and have the most respect for -- Laurie Garrett, then of Long Island's Newsday -- traveled to Africa to cover an early ebola outbreak, putting her life and health on the line to explain to our readers what was happening, why it was happening and what it potentially meant to our future. She won a Pulitzer for her work but, more importantly in my mind, brought the questions and issues surrounding infectious disease at large into the consciousness of readers in the U.S. This type of journalism is so important for our world, as Rex points out so well!!
A terrific column by Rex on the worth of mainline journalists, those that put their own lives on the line to capture the truth of what's happening in the world. In more than 50 years in journalism, I've never covered anything outside the U.S., but one of the reporters I edited and have the most respect for -- Laurie Garrett, then of Long Island's Newsday -- traveled to Africa to cover an early ebola outbreak, putting her life and health on the line to explain to our readers what was happening, why it was happening and what it potentially meant to our future. She won a Pulitzer for her work but, more importantly in my mind, brought the questions and issues surrounding infectious disease at large into the consciousness of readers in the U.S. This type of journalism is so important for our world, as Rex points out so well!!
Thanks for telling this story, Rex. More citizens need to understand the vital work of these unsung heroes...journalists in the field.